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March 18, 2024
Question

Deduction

  • March 18, 2024
  • 2 replies
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I teach 6th grade.  I attended an institute over the summer to continue my skills in teaching.   It was 10 days over two weeks in a city I do not live in.  I did not attend the institute on Saturday or Sunday.  I know I can't deduct those days but want to deduct the 10 days of the institute. Can I deduct my airfare, meals, and lodging for attending? If so, where would I deduct it in turbotax?

    2 replies

    Employee
    March 18, 2024

    If you are an employee those expenses are no longer deductible on a federal return but state conformity varies. 

    Hal_Al
    Employee
    March 18, 2024

    Q. Can I deduct my airfare, meals, and lodging for attending?

    A. No

    Starting in 2018, employees  (W-2 recipients) are no longer able to deduct any job expenses. 

    Deductions on the state return may be allowed  in AL, AR, CA, HI, MN, NY or PA.  If so, this will come up in the state interview, in TurboTax. 

     Even in the "old days" , job expenses, including continuing education,  were only a misc. itemized deduction.  You only got to deduct that portion of  your misc. itemized deductions that exceeded 2% of your AGI,  and then only if your total  itemized deductions exceeded the standard deduction (which was doubled under the 2018 tax law. .  (2% rule explained: https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2902781-what-is-the-2-rule ).